Renaissance. Part 1

a.s.sa.s.sIN'S CREED.

RENAISSANCE.

by OLIVER BOWDEN.

While he believed that learning to live Had been learning to die.

LEONARDO DA VINCI.

SUMMARY.

"I will seek revenge against those who betrayed my family. I Auditore Ezio di Firenze. I'm an a.s.sa.s.sin ... " Betrayed by the families that govern Florence, Venice and Rome in Renaissance Italy, the young Ezio Auditore embarks on an epic struggle to root out corruption and restore the family honor. To do this you must learn the art of death. On his way for revenge and control will find the great minds of Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli, must decide between love and destiny and discover that the latter is much more complex and higher than you ever imagined. To his allies, Ezio will become the force that will guide them towards freedom and justice. To his enemies, a threat devoted to the destruction of tyrants who abuse the Italian people. An epic tale of power and revenge in which the truth is written in blood. Betrayed by the families that govern Florence, Venice and Rome in Renaissance Italy, the young Ezio Auditore embarks on an epic struggle to root out corruption and restore the family honor. To do this you must learn the art of death. On his way for revenge and control will find the great minds of Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli, must decide between love and destiny and discover that the latter is much more complex and higher than you ever imagined. To his allies, Ezio will become the force that will guide them towards freedom and justice. To his enemies, a threat devoted to the destruction of tyrants who abuse the Italian people. An epic tale of power and revenge in which the truth is written in blood.

Chapter 1.

Shining and flickering torches on the top of the towers of the Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello, and only a few lanterns Destedresser was in the cathedral square, slightly towards the north. Some more lighted docks along the banks of the Arno River where late it out for a city where most people would retire to his home with the arrival of the night, were distinguished in the darkness a few sailors and longsh.o.r.emen. Some of the sailors still working on their boats and boats, urgestwo to bring out the latest gear repairs androllar adequately covers the ends of freshly scrubbed dark, while dock workers rushed dragging or carrying loads to enclose them in the safety of nearby stores.

Also in the taverns and brothels twinkling lights, but very few people roamed the streets. Seven years had elapsed since the Lorenzo de Medici, who was then withtobacco twenty years, was elected to govern the city, bringing with him at least some sense of order and calm to intense rivalidity exists among the main families of bankers and merFlorence hip had become one of the richest cities in the world. However, the city had ceased to be in constant turmoil, as the factions have fought ceaselesslyCERSE with control, some of them changing their alliances, while remaining as other eternal and implacable enemies.

Florence, in the year of our Lord 1476, even on a spring night permeated by the sweet smell of jasmine, when it was almost possible to forget the stench of the Arno if the wind was blowing in the diright direction, it was the safest place to stroll after sunset.

The moon had appeared in a cobalt blue sky, dominating over a host of stars who accompanied him. DerraMaba its light on the square where the Ponte Vecchio, their crowded tents in the dark and silent now, united with the north bank of river. Its light also discovered a black-clad figure standing sober the roof of the church of Santo Stefano al Ponte. A young man of only seventeen, but tall and proud. Looking to concentrateconcentration in the neighborhood, put a hand to his mouth and whistled, a mild but penetrating sound. In response, first one, then three, desas a dozen, and finally a minimum of twenty men, young men like him, dressed mostly in black, some wearing hoods or hats blood red, green or dark blue, all with swords and daggers in his belt, emerged from the dark streets and arcades towardsGreg on the square. The young band of dangerous aspect desFan-folded, his movements sure and arrogant.

The young man looked down at the faces of impatience, under the pale moonlight, watching him. He raised his fist above his head as a defiant salute.

- Stand together! He shouted, and they also raisedwere the fist, some drew their weapons and soft, and cheered: - United!

The young man fell at full speed, like a cat, by the faChada unfinished, from the roof to the porch of the church, and from there jumped up, his cloak flying, to land squatting and smoothly through all of them. They gathered around expectantly.

- Hush, my friends! He raised his hand to silence a single and aloneio cry. He smiled grimly.Do you know why I have gathered here tonight, to you, my closest aliatwo? For help. I have stayed too long on whetherlence while our enemy, you know who I mean, Vieri de 'Pazzi, this city has come to slander my family, arra.s.strating our name through the mud and trying to ma patheticdegrade manner. Not normally stoop to herd mehe kicked a mangy stray dog like that, but ...

Was interrupted at the time that a large stoneof, timing, launched from the bridge, landed at his feet.

"Just as with your nonsense, grullo grullo Shouted a voice. Shouted a voice.

The young man returned with his group, like a unitca person, in the direction of the voice. I knew who it belonged to. CruZande bridge from the south approached another young band. Their leader strutting his head, his red cloak, fastened by a gold brooch adorned with dolphins and crosses on a blue background, covering the black velvet suit, hand on the hilt of his sword. He was tolerably attractive appearance desfigured by a cruel mouth and a weak chin, and even being somewhat coa.r.s.e, the strength of his arms and legs was beyond doubt.

"Buona sera, Vieri said the young man quietly. Just then we were talking about you. "And made a reveence with exaggerated courtesy, simultaneously adopting a formershock pressure. But you must forgive me. Did not expect you personally. Pazzi always believed that they hired others to hiciesen them the dirty work. Vieri said the young man quietly. Just then we were talking about you. "And made a reveence with exaggerated courtesy, simultaneously adopting a formershock pressure. But you must forgive me. Did not expect you personally. Pazzi always believed that they hired others to hiciesen them the dirty work.

Vieri came and stood up when he and his troop detusaw a few meters away.

- Ezio Auditore! You're a darling puppy! I would say that is your family of pen pushers and accountants who always comes running to the guard as the weakest peeps sign of trouble. Codardo! Codardo! -Tight grip on the handle ispada. You're afraid to address the situation, I think. -Tight grip on the handle ispada. You're afraid to address the situation, I think.

"What can I say, Vieri engaged. engaged. The last time I saw your sister Viola seemed quite satisfied with the treatment I gave him. -Ezio Auditore gave his enemy a wide smiledsa happy to hear the giggles of his fellow obscured his isPalden. The last time I saw your sister Viola seemed quite satisfied with the treatment I gave him. -Ezio Auditore gave his enemy a wide smiledsa happy to hear the giggles of his fellow obscured his isPalden.

But I knew I had gone too far. Vieri was already red with rage.

- Enough is enough, a.s.shole! Let's see if you can fight as well as sputtering! He turned his head toward his men, his sword and shouted, "Kill those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!

Then another stone spun through the air, but this time it was a challenge. Ezio gave a glancing blow in the brakingyou, opening a b.l.o.o.d.y wound. Ezio staggered for an instantSo while fans threw Vieri a storm of stones. His men barely had time to recover before having the band over Pazzi, who ran across the bridge to pounce on Ezio and his men. Took the fight up so suddenly that they hardly had time to swing swords, daggers and even less so that both sides clashed inTRADA only with his fists.

The battle was hard and unrelenting, brutal kicks and punches connected with the sickening sound of broken bones. For a while he could have opted in either way, but then Ezio, his vision slightly affected by the blood from his forehead, he saw two of his best men take a wrong step, falling and being trampled on by bullies de 'Pazzi. Vieri laughed and Ezio near, prepared to stoke a new blow to the head with a large stone. Ezio was set cuc.l.i.tthe and dodged, but the danger had been too close to feel calm and now band Auditore was taking the brunt. Ezio got, before joining the whole, draw his dagger and stab blindly but successfully, musas a robust Pazzi henchman threatening him with his sword and dagger drawn. Ezio's dagger pierced tissue, muscle and tendon and the man let out a howl of agony and fell bendsdo, dropping their weapons and taking both hands to a wound that continued to sprout blood.

Desperately struggling to his feet, looked around Ezio. Pazzi saw that had surrounded his men, who had cornered against a wall of the church. Noting that forces recovered his legs, he headed for his teammates. Dodged the cutting edge of another henchman and got connected Pazzitar a punch to the jaw of that bearded guy. Had the satisfaction to see fly a few teeth and his opponent to his knees, stunned by the blow. He shouted to his men giving AniWe, though in reality his thoughts were focused on finding ways to beat a retreat with the greatest dignity possible. At that time, exceeding the noise of the conflict isspoon a loud voice, cheerful and very familiar calling him from behind the band Pazzi.

"h.e.l.lo, fratellino, fratellino, What the h.e.l.l are you? What the h.e.l.l are you?

Ezio's heart leapt with relief and managed to say in a broken voice: - Hi, Fred! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be partying as usual!

- Nonsense! I knew you had something planned and I decided to seening to see if my brother had learned at last to take care of himself. But I think you still have to learn a few lessons!

Federico Auditore, Ezio few years older and older brother was a big man with a big appet.i.te ... BEbida, love and battle. Dodged punches as he talked, he hit a couple of heads of the Pazzi and raised his foot to poke a kick in the jaw while opening a third step inamong the crowd to get closer to his brother, insensitive to violenceence that reigned around him. His men, encouraged, redoubled efforts. Pazzi, on the other hand, were puzzled. A few dock workers had gathered to watch from a distance, and the PenuPazzi's reigning Mbra withfused with reinforcements from the auditors. That, along with the roar and the flying fists of Frederick, his actions quickly emutons by Ezio, who learned at full speed, eventually causing panic among them.

The angry voice of Vieri de 'Pazzi rose above the moundto general.

- Collection! He shouted to his men, his voice broken by the exhaustionment and anger.

Ezio caught the eyes and growled a threat inaudible before disappearing into the darkness, on the way to the Ponte Vecchio,lowed by those of his men who could still walk, and perhotly followed by the victorious allies now Ezio.

Ezio was about to follow too, but the meaty hand of his brother stopped him.

"Wait a minute," he said.

- What do you mean? They are fleeing!

"Relax.

Frederick, with bad face, gently touched the wound of the brakingEzio tea.

"Not a scratch.

"I think it's more than that, she decided her brother, a serious expression on his face. You better see a doctor.

"I have no time to waste visiting doctors Ezio snapped and said," Besides ... He stopped even unwittingly. I have no money.

- Ja! You've wasted on wine and women, I suppose. -FeDerico smiled and gave an affectionate slap his brother in the shoulder.

"I have not exactly wasted, I would say. And look at the exampleexample that you you just me. -Ezio smiled, but here goesCilo. Suddenly he realized that his head was pounding. I guess it's okay if I look at the wound. Can you lend me a few just me. -Ezio smiled, but here goesCilo. Suddenly he realized that his head was pounding. I guess it's okay if I look at the wound. Can you lend me a few Fiorini? Fiorini?

Federico stroked his bag. Delivered no ringing.

"The truth is that now I'm a little low," he said.

Ezio shyly smiled at his brother's shameful.

- And what will you have spent? For ma.s.ses and indulgences, I guess.

Frederick laughed.

"Okay. I see where you're going, 'said Ezio.

He looked around. In the end, only three or four of their own hasbian badly injured as a result enough to keep still on the battlefield and were sitting up, grumbling a little, but smiling too. It had been a tough fight, but no one had broken any bones. On the other hand, more than half a dozen isPazzi birr lay completely knocked out, and at least a couple of them were dressed in expensive clothes.

"Let's see if our enemies have fallen some wealth to share," suggested Fred. At the end of the day, we needsity is greater than yours. And I bet you anything that can lighten the load without waking!

"We'll see," said Ezio, and began to work quite successfully.

In a few minutes he had collected enough gold to fill their two bags. Ezio looked triumphantly to his brother and his newly harvested jingled fortune to highlight his achievement.

- There is enough! "Cried Frederick. Better to let themWe limped to bring them back home. In fact, we are not thieves ... This is not just a war booty. And still gustarmo the look of this wound. We have to go flying at you look at it.

Ezio nodded and turned to see a site last donAuditors' just got a victory. Losing patience, Federico laid a hand on the shoulder of his younger brother.

"Come," he said, and without delay began walking at a pace that Ezio, weakened by the battle, found it difficult to follow, but howdo it was very late or took the wrong alley, FeDerico expected to direct or ran in the right direction. Sorry, Ezio. All I want is to get a doctor as soon as possible.

And, indeed, was not far, but Ezio felt more tired with each pa.s.sing minute. At the end came to a stay in penumbra decorated with mysterious instruments of bra.s.s and gla.s.s jars, arranged on tables in dark oak and the ceiling hung with bunches of dried herbs, where the medical faily had his consultation. Ezio could no longer stand.

Al dottore dottore Ceresa not like being awakened at night, but his bad mood turned to concern as a sail close enough to examine in detail the wound Ezio. Ceresa not like being awakened at night, but his bad mood turned to concern as a sail close enough to examine in detail the wound Ezio.

"Hmmm ... "He said gravely. Go mess we have here, young man. Do your people have nothing better to do than anconstantly fighting to out there?

"It was a matter of honor, good doctor" said Federico.

"I see," said the doctor quietly.

"Actually it's nothing," said Ezio, still feeling weak.

Federico, who as always disguised with the help of good humor concern, said: "Make him a patch of the very best, mate. Look so linda is all you need.

- Hey, fott.i.ti! fott.i.ti! Ezio replied, raising his middle finger toward his brother. Ezio replied, raising his middle finger toward his brother.

The doctor ignored them, washed his hands gently explored the wound and soaked a cloth with a clear liquid in one of the many bottles she had. Cleaned the wound with the solution so that stung Ezio was about to jump from his chair, his face contorted with pain. Then clean the wound and the doctor took a needle and fine wire threaded casing.

"Okay," he said. This really hurt a little.

Once the st.i.tches and bandaged the wound so that Ezio like a Turkish turban, the doctor smiled to encourage him.

"There will be three Fiorini Fiorini for now. Go to your for now. Go to your palazzo palazzo in a few days and I'll take the points. That will be three in a few days and I'll take the points. That will be three Fiorini Fiorini more to pay then. You will have a terrible headache, but it will. Try descendingsar ... But not yours! And do not worry: the wound looks worse than it really is. And there's even an added benefit: it would leave a scar, so that in future I do not think much to disappoint the ladies. more to pay then. You will have a terrible headache, but it will. Try descendingsar ... But not yours! And do not worry: the wound looks worse than it really is. And there's even an added benefit: it would leave a scar, so that in future I do not think much to disappoint the ladies.

Back on the street, Frederick put his arm around his brothernot less. He pulled a flask from his pocket and handed it to Ezio.

"Do not worry," he said, noticing the expression of Ezio. It is the best grappa grappa father. Better than milk for a man in your state. father. Better than milk for a man in your state.

Drank two, the powerful heating fluid inside.

"Well nochecita" said Federico.

"Needless to say it. I just wish they were all so diexpressed as ... "But Ezio was interrupted when her brothernot begin to smile from ear to ear. Oh, wait! He corrected himself, laughing. We are!

"Even so, I think some food and drink would not hurt for you replenished before returning home," said FeDerico. It's late, I know, but around here there is a pub that does not close until breakfast time y. ..

- And you and the oste oste you are you are amici intimacy amici intimacy - How did you guess?

About an hour later, after a meal of ribollita ribollita and andbistecca, washed down with a bottle of Brunello, Ezio felt as if I had not been injured. I was young and fit, and had the feeling of having recovered all the lost energy. The adrenalnalina victory over the band of the Pazzi contributed without lugar certainly the speed of recovery. washed down with a bottle of Brunello, Ezio felt as if I had not been injured. I was young and fit, and had the feeling of having recovered all the lost energy. The adrenalnalina victory over the band of the Pazzi contributed without lugar certainly the speed of recovery.

"Time to go home, brother," Frederick said. Seguro that father will be wondering where we are, and have decided it's you who will help with the bank. Luckily for me, have notgo a head for numbers, which is why I imagine dying to get into politics.

"In politics or in the circus ... the way you behave.

- What is the difference?

Ezio Frederick knew that he resented the fact that his father trusted him more than his eldest son to take the family business. Frederick would die of boredom if Tuviara to face a life on the bench. The problem was that Ezio had the feeling that he could succeed as well. But for now, time to slip into the velvet suit neMontenegro and the gold chain of the Florentine bankers was still quite far away, and was determined to fully enjoy your days of freedom and irresponsibility. Little did he imagine it would be shorter than those days.

"Better hurry, we know Frederick was saying, if we are to avoid a fight.

"He must be worried.

"No ... we manage somehow knows very well alone. Ezio-Federico threw a questioning look. But rather than we were we were youRando. He paused. Do not you fancy a bet? A cabarrier, perhaps? youRando. He paused. Do not you fancy a bet? A cabarrier, perhaps?

- How far?

- How about ...? -Frederick crossed the city with an eye illuminated by the light of the moon to reach a tower not far alejada. The roof of Santa Trinita. If there is too much for you ... and not far from home. But just one more thing.

"Tell me.

"It will run through the streets, but the roof.

Ezio breath.

"Okay. Try me, "he said.

"Okay, little tartaruga. tartaruga. Vamos! Vamos!

Without saying a word, Federico was launched andstalled a wall plastered with the same ease with which he would have a lizard. He stopped at the top, swinging about between the red tiles, river and continued their march. When Ezio reached the rooftops, his brother had been released twenty meter lead. Persecution began, her pain forgotten thanks to the excitement and adrenaline. Federico saw was an almighty leap ENCIma in a black void as pitch and landed smoothly on the flat roof of a palazzo palazzo Gray remained somewhat below the roof level above. He ran a little more and waited. Ezio exderwent a flash of fear at seeing the abyss that opened before him, with eight floors below street, but I knew that before moRIR to hesitate in front of his brother, so that is arming oflor, gave an impressive leap of faith watching, flying, hard granite paving shine under the moonlight far beyond their feet waving in the air. For a split secondsdo wondered if he had miscalculated, as the hard gray wall Gray remained somewhat below the roof level above. He ran a little more and waited. Ezio exderwent a flash of fear at seeing the abyss that opened before him, with eight floors below street, but I knew that before moRIR to hesitate in front of his brother, so that is arming oflor, gave an impressive leap of faith watching, flying, hard granite paving shine under the moonlight far beyond their feet waving in the air. For a split secondsdo wondered if he had miscalculated, as the hard gray wall palazzo palazzo seemed to be rising before him, but then, without knowing exactly how the wall collapsed and was found in the other roof, sprawled, yes, but still standing, and euphoric, even breathing hard. seemed to be rising before him, but then, without knowing exactly how the wall collapsed and was found in the other roof, sprawled, yes, but still standing, and euphoric, even breathing hard.

"Brother, there's still much to learn," joked Fred, getting moving again, a shadow from the chimney swift and low scattered clouds. Ezio ran away, overcome by the frenzy of the moment. Opened beneath their feet other depths, some dead simple, others broad thoroughfares. Federico was not seen anywhere. Suddenly he looked up at the tower of Santa Trinita, being elevated above the red surface of the gently sloping roof of the church. But the approach recalled that the church was located in the middle of a square, and the distance between your roof and nearby buildingsWe were much greater than any that has pa.s.sed so far. He dared not to doubt or to slow, his only hope was that the church roof was lower than that from which I had to jump. If he could take the Carrericall enough and really jump into the air, gravity will do the rest. Fly like a bird for a couple of seconds. Away from your mind any idea on the consequences of possible failure.